Linux is - What is Linux?

At this stage, we'll talk about some basic things you can do to customize your Linux installation. This includes desktop customization and installation of extra applications in few easy steps.

Customize your desktop

The desktop you are using is a KDE desktop. We will show examples of how to add widgets to your desktop, select a wallpaper and how to customize the appearance of windows and general desktop theme. The slideshow below is just an example of huge amount of possibilities of desktop designs. So don't hesitate to experiment with creating your own perfect Linux desktop.

Step 1 - Add Widgets

Start by right clicking on a blank spot
on the desktop. After this, a menu appears, which allows you, for
instance, to add and remove widgets from the desktop. Click on Add
Widgets ...

Step 2 - Choose your Widgets

By clicking on Add Widgets ... a large
number of available widgets is displayed. You can select the widgets
you like and locate them on your desktop.

Step 3 - Take first steps in organizing your desktop

Fill in your desktop with widgets of
your choice. As an example, we placed an analog clock, calendar and a weather forecast on our desktop.

Step 4 - Access Desktop Settings

By right clicking on your desktop you
can access Desktop Settings, which allow you, for instance, to
select a wallpaper for your desktop. As a wallpaper we selected Picture of the Day with an astronomical theme.

Step 5 - General impression

The general impression of the desktop is a very neatly organized workspace with a nice wallpaper, which will update daily.

Step 6 - Explore System Settings

Another tool to experiment with is
System Settings. This is the KDE's control center interface. To get
to System Settings go to Applications->Settings->System
Settings. From this place you can further customize your workspace
appearance and behavior.

Step 7 - Window Decoration

Click on Workspace Appearance in the
System Settings. This will give you a possibility to change the
appearance of, for instance, windows where the applications run.

Step 8 - Desktop Theme

You can also change the theme of your
workspace, which will be reflected on your desktop after clicking the
"Apply" button. Feel free to further customize your Linux desktops. You can, additionally, place shortcats of frequently used applications on your desktop or the bottom panel.

Desktop customization

Step 1 - Add Widgets

Start by right clicking on a blank spot
on the desktop. After this, a menu appears, which allows you, for
instance, to add and remove widgets from the desktop. Click on Add
Widgets ...

By right clicking on your desktop you
can access Desktop Settings, which allow you, for instance, to
select a wallpaper for your desktop. As a wallpaper we selected Picture of the Day with an astronomical theme.

Another tool to experiment with is
System Settings. This is the KDE's control center interface. To get
to System Settings go to Applications->Settings->System
Settings. From this place you can further customize your workspace
appearance and behavior.

You can also change the theme of your
workspace, which will be reflected on your desktop after clicking the
"Apply" button. Feel free to further customize your Linux desktops. You can, additionally, place shortcats of frequently used applications on your desktop or the bottom panel.

Short guide to Software Installation

In Linux terminology, software is composed of one or more packages. The Debian installation gives you access to more than 30 000 packages making a large number of programs available. The slideshow below takes you step by step through the software installation process. As an example, we install a chess game.

Step 1 - Start Software Installation Manager

Software Installation on the Linux system is a fairly easy task. Click the bottom left button and navigate to System -> Software Management. Once you click on the Software Management menu a new window will pop up.

Step 2 - Search for a Package to be Installed

At this point, a "Software Management" tool will let you search the entire software database available to your Linux distribution. For instance, we would like to install a chess game. To do that enter the keyword "chess" and hit the search button.

Step 3 - Installation of Selected Packages

In Linux terms, software consists of one or multiple packages. Therefore, what the "Software Management" tool has returned from your "chess" search is a bunch of packages, which match your description. As you can see, there are multiple chess related programs available. For example, choose "dreamchess" to be installed by clicking on the button "install" in the "action" column. Once ready, click "Apply".

Step 4 - Package Dependencies

Any package you wish to install may have zero or more dependencies. In short, in order to install our "dreamchess" package we need to install some other packages in parallel. This job will be done by a "Software Management" tool itself so you do not have to worry about this. You can even tick "Do not confirm" radio button if you do not wish to be notified about this event anymore. Click "Continue".

Step 5 - Access Control

A regular user does not have software installation privileges by default. This is a security feature and, therefore, "Software management" tool will ask for an administrator ( root ) password. After you enter this password click "OK".

Step 6 - Package Download and Installation

At this stage, the "Software Management" tool has all necessary information to begin the package download and subsequent installation. All packages needed will be downloaded and then installed. You will be notified once the installation is completed. Your "Software Management" tool will also provide you with a launch button to start your chess program.

Step 7 - Program Start

All done! This process can be used to install more than 30 000 of packages available to your Debian Linux installation so, as you can see, there is much more to explore.

Software Installation

Step 1 - Start Software Installation Manager

Software Installation on the Linux system is a fairly easy task. Click the bottom left button and navigate to System -> Software Management. Once you click on the Software Management menu a new window will pop up.

At this point, a "Software Management" tool will let you search the entire software database available to your Linux distribution. For instance, we would like to install a chess game. To do that enter the keyword "chess" and hit the search button.

In Linux terms, software consists of one or multiple packages. Therefore, what the "Software Management" tool has returned from your "chess" search is a bunch of packages, which match your description. As you can see, there are multiple chess related programs available. For example, choose "dreamchess" to be installed by clicking on the button "install" in the "action" column. Once ready, click "Apply".

Any package you wish to install may have zero or more dependencies. In short, in order to install our "dreamchess" package we need to install some other packages in parallel. This job will be done by a "Software Management" tool itself so you do not have to worry about this. You can even tick "Do not confirm" radio button if you do not wish to be notified about this event anymore. Click "Continue".

A regular user does not have software installation privileges by default. This is a security feature and, therefore, "Software management" tool will ask for an administrator ( root ) password. After you enter this password click "OK".

At this stage, the "Software Management" tool has all necessary information to begin the package download and subsequent installation. All packages needed will be downloaded and then installed. You will be notified once the installation is completed. Your "Software Management" tool will also provide you with a launch button to start your chess program.

Linux Customization FAQ

Q: Do I need to learn a command line in order to work with the Linux operating system?A: No.

Q: How do I open/edit my existing Microsoft Office documents?A: Simply, use LibreOffice, which is a full-fledged, free of cost alternative to Microsoft Office Suite. LibreOffice allows you to keep existing Microsoft Office document formats.

Q: Will I be able to work with file formats such as PDF, JPG, MP3, DOC, XLS, AVI, MKV, MP4 under Linux. A: Yes, all you need to do is to install appropriate software. Most of the relevant software is already installed by default.

Q: Will I be able to play movies in formats such as mp4, mkv or avi?A: Yes, just use the VLC player. It supports many video and audio formats.

Q: How do I use the SKYPE communicator?A: SKYPE is not included as part of the standard Debian Linux repository but you can download and install its official Linux version. However, for your privacy we recommend to use free software GNU Telephony instead.

Q: Why is my wireless card not working?A: Many of the wireless drivers belong to the non-free Debian repository. Therefore, in order to use your wireless card you need to install proprietary software packages: firmware-iwlwifi and firmware-realtek for Intel and Realtek cards, respectively. Both packages are part of the non-free Debian Linux repository.

About Linuxis.org

The aim of this website is to help people curious about the Linux operating system to get acquainted with its purpose and functionality. This site is created for people without any technical skills and experience. Linuxis.org provides basic knowledge about Linux and offers support by answering basic questions about installation and usage. Technical terminology is simplified and many of the details related to Linux history and implementation are deliberately omitted in order to keep instructions easy to follow. The website is maintained by Linux Career and was build as a tribute to countless number of volunteers from the Linux community, GNU Project and many more who made this operating system possible. Thank You!

Linuxis.org is a Linuxcareer.com community siteCopyright 2014 LinuxCareer.com. All rights reserved.